It will be the “Unibet Hurdle or nothing” for Sir Gino as Nicky Henderson confirmed his Christmas Hurdle hero is on course to represent Seven Barrows in the Champion Hurdle.
No one has won the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival more than Henderson, who will be looking for a record-extending 10th success in the race in March.
With Constitution Hill’s future yet to be decided following his latest fall in the Fighting Fifth, Sir Gino declared he would be a fitting replacement in the two-mile showpiece, with an impressive return to action at Kempton on Boxing Day.
The powerful five-year-old has been given a clean bill of health since that dazzling return and could now follow the same route that Constitution Hill took last season, with a dress rehearsal in Cheltenham on Trials Day seen as the only suitable option before the festival itself.
“He’s 100 percent and he was in great form this morning,” said Henderson.
“I think the Champion Hurdle should be the route and I watched the race in Ireland today between the two girls (Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead) and I can’t believe they’re both going for the Mares but I’d be delighted if they want to do that!
“He doesn’t have to run anymore and it’s like the Unibet Hurdle or nothing.”
Sir Gino is currently 6-4 favorite for the Champion Hurdle with sponsor Unibet, while Willie Mullins’ Lossiemouth is next best at 3-1 after her Christmas win over Brighterdaysahead at Leopardstown.
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